Hamas, Palestinian factions back Iran against US sanctions
Hamas and other Palestinian groups have reaffirmed their solidarity with Iran since the United States reimposed more sanctions on Tehran.
The US Treasury Department last week imposed more sanctions on Iran to limit Tehran's ability to finance hostile activities in the region and fund terrorism. The sanctions now apply to more than 700 Iranian individuals, entities, vessels and aircraft.
Local, regional and international parties immediately reacted. Palestinians rushed to express their fear of the sanctions' impact. Hamas condemned the sanctions in a Nov. 5 statement, charging they aim to destabilize the region. The movement said the United States is favoring Israel at the expense of the Palestinian cause, and Hamas leaders stressed their solidarity with Iran to counter what they called Zionist-US arrogance.
That same day, the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said US leaders were “acting like thugs" by imposing the sanctions. It said the action reinforces Palestinians' belief that Washington is wreaking havoc in the world without interference and must be confronted. Also, the Alliance of Palestinian Forces said the sanctions will not undermine Iran's will and wise leadership.
The next day, the Popular Resistance Committees, an alliance of armed Palestinian groups, called the sanctions a US punishment for Iran’s support of the Palestinian resistance.
